by Nicholas Nikolov

Created on: February 25, 2010

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The game is what hockey fans around the world were anticipating an instant classic between Russia and Canada tuned in Wednesday night, and that is exactly what the world's two, argueably greatest hockey powerhouses put on a spectacle.

Although it was not for a gold medal, the atmosphere in Canada Hockey Place sure did create the environment of one in this winner-take-all quarter-final showdown between the longtime rivals.

Most of the edge-of-the-seat entertainment took place in the first period that contained all what were anticipating to see. Numerous goals were scored – plenty of goalscoring chances – and hard body banging checks that were generated mostly by Canada.

Head coach Mike Bobcock’s boys dominated both ends of the rink. Having more of the goal-scoring chances thereby outscoring their opponents - whom do not have the lack of firepower with players like Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Ilya Kovalchuk just to list a few who can put the pucks into the net.

Canada’s defensive game proved to be a key factor in the game as well. Aside from the goals allowed – all of the defensive pairings played well – stopping the Russian artillery.  But, the defence tandem of Los Angeles Kings superstar Drew Doughty, 20, and the 27-year-old Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks both played exceptionally well. And to keep the aforementioned Ovechkin and company off the scoresheet is a daunting task in it of itself.

Defenceman Dan Boyle speeds down the left wing and easily cruises past defenceman Anton Volchenkov on the outside feeding the streaking Ryan Getzlaf with a no-look backhander and taps it in the open net.

Then it was three members of Team Canada’s San Jose Sharks line of forwards Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau assisting on Boyle’s hard slapper from the layoff pass from his German-born teammate.

Seconds later, Columbus Blue Jackets superstar gets the insurance goal on his semi-breakaway chance.

In the last remaining minutes of the first period the Russians finally got on the scoreboard to still be in the game of sorts by a well-screened point shot from Dmitri Kalinin.

Forward Brenden Morrow, 31, of the Dallas Stars puts Canada up by three goals moments before the end of the period – although it was a “dirty goal” the Canadians will take it.  His is linemates forwards Jonathan Toews and Mike Richards with their dominating

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